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Arsène Wenger Considers Challenging Gianni Infantino for FIFA Presidency
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5 Western Mainstream3 Asian2 Local Western4 Other source typesThis article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Arsène Wenger is considering a bid to run against Gianni Infantino for FIFA president. Candidacy must be declared by November 18, 2026 for the March 2027 election.
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Wenger weighs a challenge
Arsène Wenger, the 77-year-old former Arsenal manager and FIFA’s chief of global football development, is considering standing against Gianni Infantino in FIFA’s presidential election. BBC Sport said senior figures in European football have been hoping Wenger would run, while sources close to Wenger told the broadcaster that he has not decided and still believe Infantino is the favourite to win a fourth and final term.
Wenger’s potential candidacy is tied to the fallout from FIFA Forward Enterprise, after FIFA abandoned the plan to sell commercial stakes in the World Cup to private investors amid opposition from UEFA. Wenger distanced himself from the abandoned project, saying, "I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports," and he added that withdrawing it was "absolutely necessary and beyond question."
Deadlines, rivals, and backing
FIFA set a deadline for candidates to confirm they are standing against Infantino for the election in March as 18 November, and BBC Sport said Wenger is expected to make a decision this week. Ramon Vega became the first person to put his name forward in October, and Kozo Tashima announced his intention to stand as well.
BBC Sport said Infantino recently insisted he has the backing of the "vast, vast majority" of world football, while the BBC also reported that Fifa's head of global development would have the backing of Uefa. The BBC also said FIFA told its council members that "key documents" relating to Infantino's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup would be made available at its Zurich base under "strict protocols."
What is at stake next
The election is scheduled for March 18, 2027, during the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco, and FIFA statutes require any candidate to secure nominations from at least five of the organisation’s 211 member associations to appear on the ballot. The BBC said Infantino retains support in South America, Africa and Asia, and it reported that Infantino recently received a major re-election boost when receiving the backing of all 54 member national associations.
“The presidential election is scheduled for March 18, 2027, during the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco.”
The Irish Times said Kozo Tashima announced on Thursday he would run for the presidency, while it also said Infantino recovered and rallied support from Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America. The Irish Times also quoted Wenger’s August 4 stance on the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise, saying, "The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question," as UEFA seeks a credible alternative to Infantino.